Interpretation ID: nht69-1.36

DATE: 05/20/69

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Francis Armstrong; NHTSA

TO: State of New Jersey; Bureau of Forestry

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your letter of January 13, 1969, in which you ask if there is any way you might legally use the Dodge Power Wagon Model M 300.

This Bureau does not control the end use of the vehicle after sale to the first purchaser for purposes other than resale. Public Law 89-563, Section 108, states in part, "No person shall manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in Interstate Commerce, or import into the United States, any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment manufactured on or after the date any applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard takes effect under this title unless it is in conformity with such standard." A copy of Public Law 89-563 is enclosed.

In short the Chrysler Corporation, under this law cannot manufacture for sale after the date a standard takes effect, a vehicle for use under the circumstances in which you describe unless the vehicle conforms to the applicable standard.

The vehicle, to which you make reference, can be classified in two different categories as follows:

1. Multipurpose passenger vehicle, which means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off the road operation or:

2. Truck, which means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer designed primarily for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment.

Although other standards are applicable to the above classifications, the collapsible type steering column is not. We are enclosing a copy of "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards with Amendments and Interpretations thru August 6, 1968," in which you will find the applicable standards.

Regulations concerning control of anti-pollution emission devices are not the responsibility of the Department of Transportation, but of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. By copy of this letter, Mr. William H. Megonnell, Acting Associate Commissioner for Abatement and Control, National Air Pollution Control Administration, DOT, 801 North Randolph Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22200, is being requested to forward such information as he deems appropriate.

We trust this reply will be of assistance to you.